ODIHR publishes new guide to assist civil society in building lasting coalitions to address intolerance and discrimination

Participants in a panel discussion on the role of civil society in promoting tolerance and non-discrimination organized as part of the launch event. Brussels, 26 June 2018. (OSCE) Photo details

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released a new guide to assist civil society organizations in building lasting coalitions to promote tolerance and non-discrimination and to address anti-Semitism in the OSCE region. The launch event took place in Brussels on 26 June 2018 and was hosted by the European Jewish Community Centre.

The guide, Coalition Building for Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, offers a practical basis for building successful coalitions to address discrimination and build more peaceful and tolerant societies. By providing multiple tools, online resources and good practices, the publication serves as a starting point not only for civil society organizations and communities setting out to join forces to strengthen anti-discrimination laws and norms, but also for all civil society members wishing to establish coalitions to advance their goals.

"Among other objectives, the Words into Action project aims to strengthen joint civil society advocacy to improve responses to anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance and discrimination,” said Cristina Finch, Head of ODIHR's Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department. “We emphasize the need for a comprehensive, gender-mainstreamed and human rights-based approach that helps organizations work together to achieve common goals.”

The project’s coalition-building component promotes dialogue between different communities, focusing on specific topics and contexts for building coalitions. Its recommendations are intended to contribute to building more cohesive and inclusive societies for all communities in the OSCE region.